It was once again impossible to take your eyes off the Premier League this weekend thanks to the usual heady dose of goals and controversy.

There was plenty of exhilarating action on Saturday afternoon, but the fuse was well and truly lit on Sunday with a pulsating Merseyside derby.

Little did we know what was to then unfold at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea and Manchester United took part in one of the most talked-about games of the season so far.

Here, Sports Mole picks out the 11 players that left their mark on the action.

David De Gea (Man Utd)
The young Spaniard is by no means the finished article, but he was there a number of times to deny Chelsea as United earned a controversial win at Stamford Bridge.

Angel Rangel (Swansea)
The Swans showed no fear during their defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City and the full-back was the epitome of their slick, flowing football.
Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
On another goal-heavy weekend, the Gunners skipper resisted a spirited QPR to keep a clean sheet during his side's 1-0 win.
Rafael da Silva (Man Utd)
The combative Brazilian had plenty of joy down the right with Antonio Valencia to help United get off to an explosive start at Chelsea.

Juan Mata (Chelsea)
This guy is starting to become a fixture in these weekly teams and he showed again on Sunday why. The best player in the league at the moment? It's difficult to find anyone else who can change a game like him.
Leon Osman (Everton)
The local lad was all pride during Sunday's fiery Merseyside derby and took his goal well to get the hosts back into the contest.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
After 17 months out through injury, the midfielder gave the Gunners some much-needed steel and thrust to see off QPR.
Gareth Bale (Spurs)
The new dad was full of dynamism against former club Southampton and scored to put Tottenham on the road to victory.

Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham)
The Bulgarian is quickly looking like a tidy bit of business for the Cottagers as he rifled home his third goal of the season in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Reading.
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)
He was foolish to give away the free kick that let Chelsea back into the match at Stamford Bridge, but 'Wazza' showed supreme awareness linking up with strike partner Robin van Persie and teammates throughout Sunday's win.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
The divisive Uruguayan almost single-handedly earned his side the spoils in the Merseyside derby with a typically mercurial performance. Was desperately unlucky to be denied a winner, too.